Suffering Under Grace and Not by Choice
People do not choose God for salvation (Rom 3:10; Jn 1:12–13; 15:16; Rom 9:16; Eph 1:4–5; 2 Thess 2:13), nor do they choose God during times of suffering. Unbelievers never choose God, in any circumstance. In contrast, believers never have to choose God in suffering. His grace is already there and sufficient for them.
The classic error here is man-centered theology. When people do theology, with themselves as the center of the scenario, they succumb to faulty thinking about God and His providence in their circumstances. God, working either His discipline or judgment, is the missing link to understanding suffering.
First, we live in a fallen world (Gen 3). Our separation from God is the root of all suffering. In the presence of God, there is nothing but comfort, peace, joy, and goodness. This intimate presence was lost at Eden. The fallout continues to be the environment for all people, everywhere, and at all times. The fact is that all people are suffering in a myriad of ways.
Second, we live as sinners in a fallen world (Rom 3:23). Sin separates us from God, and it exacerbates our suffering condition. Whether it is our sin, or the sin of others, our circumstances in suffering find sin as the major catalyst. Sin does not cease to operate in our lives, until death becomes the end of sin. Therefore, in the world, you will have suffering.
Third, God’s sovereign providence prevails in every situation. The problem with man-centered theology, in suffering, is that the purveyor simply despises the high view of God. To the chagrin of the self-help preacher, God sits in the heavens and does what He pleases (Ps 115:3; Ps 135:6). He accomplishes what concerns us (Ps 57:3; 138:8). He performs His will and good pleasure (Phil 2:13). His plans have been established, and they cannot be thwarted (Is 46:9–11). He performs all our works for us (Is 26:12). Who could possibly argue against these statements of truth, clearly seen in Scripture?
Job’s suffering was God’s choice, not Job’s. Job was not able to choose God, or not choose God, in the midst of His suffering. The debate raged with His friends, but in the end, God’s sovereign right over His creatures and creation was the conclusion to the dispute. God allowed Job to suffer for God’s own sovereign purposes. This was true for Jesus Christ, too. It is true for God’s people, and it is true for people who do not belong to God. God has made the wicked for the day of evil (Prv 16:4).
Fourth, the issue of God’s discipline of His people (Heb 12:4–17) is a significant issue with regard to suffering. Christ suffered. The apostles suffered, but Paul was able to comfort the Romans with hope, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom 8:18).” Paul knew suffering, but there was no “choosing God” or not. He recognized God’s providential oversight in every one of His circumstances.
Suffering is a real part of the Christian life, and God is not unaware. Sometimes suffering can be in the midst of righteousness (1 Pet 3:14). Right standing with God invites hatred from the world (Jn 7:7; 15:18). Still, God is always working all things together, including suffering, for good, for those who love Him, and who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). The point is that suffering, for believers in Jesus, occurs under God’s discipline and providence. Every suffering is careful crafting by the hand of God, upon the child of God.
David suffered the loss of his son. This occurred because of his sin with Bathsheba, but it came as discipline for him. Elijah suffered fear following his great victory at Mount Carmel. God allowed him to experience this void, in order to keep him humble. Miriam was struck with leprosy for a season because of her coup d’etat against Moses. Humility is hard to come by for sinful people. Successful people are especially susceptible to pride, the mother of all sin. God disciplines His people and keeps them humble. They suffer under His hand, but it is for their good.
Fifth, the issue of God’s judgment is a significant one, when we consider suffering in the world. Sodom suffered the wrath of God against sin. The wrath of God is revealed against all unrighteousness and ungodliness of men (Rom 1:18). When God issues His wrath against an individual or a nation, suffering is sure to follow. Haman suffered the very gallows he built for Mordecai. Israel succumbed to Assyria, which succumbed to Babylon, which succumbed to Medo-Persia. Suffering was involved in every case.
Why do the nations rage against God and against His anointed (Ps 2)? It is because they have no interest in choosing God in the midst of their suffering. Their defiance is captured in Revelation 6:15–17, “Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’”
Relief from suffering is not a man’s choice. Unregenerate, sinful men are unwilling and unable to choose God for assuagement. Judgments here are merely precursory to the eternal punishment in fiery hell (Mt 25:46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15).
In summary, we have considered the universal problem of suffering. We have identified sin and the fallen world, as the problematic sources of suffering. We have also seen how God’s providence in suffering, works for Christians and non-Christians. The leopard cannot change its spots, nor the Ethiopian, his skin color; neither can men change their suffering, nor their preference for God in the midst of suffering.
In conclusion, we must discard man-centered theology in every doctrinal and every practical issue. False prophets and preachers put humanity at the center of situations pertaining to God. They give power of choice, and control of destiny, into the minds and actions of men. Their psychology and philosophy is very popular with prideful human beings. These men and women often find themselves as bestselling authors, replete with television appearances. They sow into human pride, and they reap positions, power, and pecuniary rewards. They lack probity.
When these schemes and schemers fail men, they turn further away from God because they consider Him powerless or unwilling to help them in their suffering. They even blame Him. Bad theology enhances human suffering. Instead, we must consider suffering circumstances from God’s perspective. With God as the center of our thoughts on suffering, we understand it is God’s choice, not man’s choice, for the kinds and types of suffering experienced by individuals and nations. One man shakes his fist at God, while the other sits in sackcloth and ashes.
The apostle Paul’s classic thorny, sackcloth reflection on suffering reads, “Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor 12:8–10).” Paul’s response was not a choice; it was grace abounding. In this God, not Paul, was glorified.
David E. Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 31, 2020
